Liberia: Activists reported the passing of a new law creating reserved parliamentary seats for women, young people, and people with disabilities. (Reuters)

Republic of Congo: Armed men attacked a train carrying security forces in the Pool region, killing several people. (AP)

AMERICAS

Mexico: An attack on a military convoy in Sinaloa, most likely carried out by El Chapo’s sons, killed five soldiers. (AFP)

Venezuela: The country entered the final 100 days during which President Nicolas Maduro can be recalled and new elections held. If a recall takes place after 10JAN, new elections will not be held, and instead Maduro’s vice president would take power. (AFP)

ASIA

Hong Kong: Leader Leung Chun-ying called on the city to unite behind the current political system and silence calls for independence from China. (AFP)

South Korea: A government representative announced that the country’s cyber command, which was established to counter external hacking attempts on the military, was hacked last month. (Yonhap)

South Korea: President Park Geun-Hye called on North Koreans to abandon their country and defect. (AFP)

EUROPE

France: Authorities charged a 15-year-old high school student on suspicion of wanting to commit a terror attack directed by a Syria-based jihadist. (AFP)

Turkey: Authorities detained 15 staff from Ege University in the city of Izmir; they are suspected of links to Fethullah Gulen. (AFP)

United Kingdom: Prime Minister Theresa May said that the Scottish government will not have veto power in Brexit negotiations. (Reuters)

MIDDLE EAST

Israel-Palestine: An Israeli soldier was stabbed in the West Bank town of Qalandia, and the Palestinian attacker was shot and killed. (AFP)

Syria: The largest hospital on the rebel-held side of Aleppo was struck by barrel bombs. (AFP)

Syria: A Russian newspaper reported that the country is sending more warplanes to the country to ramp up its air campaign. (Reuters)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Communications: A German technology law firm filed a complaint with prosecutors alleging that Facebook broke national laws against hate speech, sedition and support for terrorist organizations. (Reuters)